Governor John Bel Edwards said in his address to the state last night that crucial services are facing major cuts if lawmakers don’t agree to raise taxes. The Administration released a new estimate of the state’s budget deficit to about $950 million dollars. Edwards says he is proposing significant cuts to the budget, but it will also take from the legislature to raise revenue in order to stabilize the budget…:
Cut 8 (09) “state strong”
Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy called for more cuts and accused Edwards of using scare tactics.

The state office of financial assistance said Thursday that it was suspending TOPS payments effective immediately. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says he can’t see how the state doesn’t fulfill it’s promise that they would pay a student’s full tuition if they reached certain academic achievements…:
Cut 16 (08) “more explanation“

The state’s flu bug expert says Louisiana is in the middle of one of its slowest flu seasons ever. Emelie Gunn has the story…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Now that the giant burn chamber has arrived at Camp Minden, the process of disposing of the millions of pounds of M6 propellant can begin. Louisiana National Guard spokesman Col Pete Schneider says it will take about 4 days to get the massive structure installed…:
cut 4 (10) “operating”

Governor John Bel Edwards says colleges and hospitals will close and critical healthcare services will be eliminated if the state legislature does not approve higher taxes to help close a $940 million budget deficit this fiscal year. Edwards made the comments during a special address that was aired on TV and radio stations…:
CUT 7 (12) “as well”
After Edwards spoke, State Treasurer John Kennedy provided the Republican Party’s response. Kennedy says raising revenue is not the answer to the state’s budget problems…:
Cut 9 (07) “run deficits”
A special session to address the budget is scheduled to start on Sunday.

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance has notified colleges and universities that due to uncertainty over potential budget cuts they are holding off on making any TOPS payments. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it would be a huge disaster for Louisiana if it’s unable to pay a TOPS recipients full tuition for this semester…:
Cut 14 (08) “being taken away”
A spokesperson for the office of student financial assistance says the suspension of TOPS payments to public colleges is just a precautionary measure.

Now that the giant burn chamber has arrived at Camp Minden, the process of disposing of the millions of pounds of M6 propellant can begin. Louisiana National Guard spokesman Col Pete Schneider says they expect it will take about 30-35 days to make sure everything is working properly…:
Cut 5 (04) “of the M6”
He says it will take about 4 days to get the massive structure installed.

In a special televised address, Governor John Bel Edwards said unless the legislature approves tax increases, colleges and hospitals will close. Halen Doughty reports…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump spoke to a reported 10,000 people during a rally Thursday night in Baton Rouge. Trump opened his comments claiming that 5,000 more were outside waiting to get into the River Center. Louisiana’s presidential primary will be held March 5th.

Louisiana is experiencing one of its slowest flu seasons in several years. That’s according to Dr. Frank Welch, an influenza expert with the state Department of Health and Hospitals…:
cut 11 (09) “flu-like illness”
He credits the warmer than normal winter.

All TOPS payments were stopped effectively immediately Thursday due to the state’s budget crisis. Universities were notified by email about the suspension of students’ award money saying more details would be provided as information becomes available.

Louisiana based GLO airlines announces its adding seasonal nonstop flights from New Orleans to Destin. The service will be offered beginning March 25th.

The State Department of Health and Hospitals is investigating two possible Zika cases in Louisiana. Dr. Frank Welch, with the Louisiana Office of Public Health, says at this point, Louisiana residents shouldn’t be concerned about getting the Zika Virus, because local transmission is very unlikely at this time.

CUT 4 (08)  “right now”

Louisiana Researchers have played a role in detecting gravitational waves, which Albert Einstein predicted would occur as part of his general theory of relativity. LSU astronomy professor, Gabriela Gonzalez, saystwo black holes colliding some one-point-three billion years ago created the gravitational wave that was detected in Livingston Parish and at another facility in Washington…

cut 10 (10)  away”

State Police is partnering with Blue Cross to help with the safe disposal of prescription medication in central and northwest Louisiana. Trooper Michael Reichardt says in the front of the Troop F station in Monroe they’ve set out a box similar to a mail box for people to safely discard old or unwanted medication. He says the abuse of prescription medication in teens has become a growing problem…

cut 12 (09) “age group”

Reichardt says the normal methods of flushing old prescriptions down the toilet or throwing them in the trash are still effective. He says this is just an additional option of getting rid of the medications.

The Louisiana Office of Student Assistance has told universities that they are halting TOPS payments because of current concerns with the state budget. An official says the email was sent out as a precautionary measure until more is learned about potential budget cuts. If funding is insufficient, students may have to pay back their tuition.

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards will deliver a televised speech tonight about the state’s budget crisis with a response from Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Louisiana Office of Student Assistance has told universities that they are halting TOPS payments because of current concerns with the state budget. An official says the email was sent out as a precautionary measure until more is learned about potential budget cuts. If funding is insufficient, students may have to pay back their tuition.

After an identity case in California, a judge has ruled that Frank Selas is former Monroe TV personality “Mr. Wonderful.” Selas is accused of committing sex crimes in Louisiana in the 70s. Lt. Tmy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says now the process of getting Selas back to Louisiana begins.

Cut 15  (09) “governor’s warrant.”

The State Department of Health and Hospitals is investigating two possible Zika cases in Louisiana. Dr. Frank Welch, with the Louisiana Office of Public Health, says officials learned of these cases when the patients went to the doctor because they were feeling ill after returning from the Caribbean, where the disease is prevalent.

Cut 3 (06) “completely recovered.”

Neither of the patients required hospitalization.

Louisiana is in some major financial trouble right now, but analysts say we aren’t the first or last state to see issues like this. Ron Faucheux of the Clarus Research Group says most states have improved their fiscal situation since the the Great Recession in 2008 and 2009…:
CUT 6 (09) “have rebounded”
A special session starts on Sunday where state lawmakers will try come up a plan to cover up the state’s massive budget shortfall.

Louisiana Researchers have played a role in detecting gravitational waves, which Albert Einstein predicted would occur as part of his general theory of relativity. LSU physics professor, Gabriela Gonzalez, says their observatory in Livingston Parish saw the ripples in the fabric of space time on September 14th…:
CUT 9 (09) “black holes”
Gonzales says this kind of information can help scientists understand the universe.

The state department is investigating two possible cases of the Zika Virus in Louisiana. Doctor Frank Welch with the office of public health says both patients were mildly ill and recently came back from Carribbean where the mosquito borne virus is prevalent. Welch says there’s possibility we could see Zika transmitted in Louisiana later this year…
cut 5 (08) “….be prepared”

After an identity hearing in California today, a judged has ruled Frank Selas is former Monroe TV personality “Mr. Wonder,” who is accused of committing sex crimes in Louisiana in the 70s. Lt. Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says now the process of getting Selas back to Louisiana begins…
cut 15 (09) “governor’s warrant”
Selas is wanted in Louisiana on two counts of obscene behavior with a juvenile.

State Health Officials are investigating two possible Zika cases in Louisiana. Dr. Frank Welch, with the Louisiana Office of Public Health, says officials discovered these cases after the patients complained to their doctors about feeling sick after visiting the Caribbean. Welch says right now, Louisiana residents shouldn’t be worried about getting the Zika Virus, because local transmission is very unlikely at this time….

CUT 4 (08)  “right now”

Louisiana is in some serious financial trouble right now, but analysts say we aren’t the first or last state to see issues like this. Political pollster Ron Faucheux says many states have improved their fiscal situation since the Great Recession in 2008 and 2009. Faucheux says, unlike Louisiana, other states struggle when gas prices are high…:

CUT 7 (11) “after the hurricane”

Edwards will speak to the public tonight in a special televised address at 6:30.

Researchers in Louisiana played a role in detecting gravitational waves, which Albert Einstein predicted would happen as part of his general theory of relativity. LSU astronomy professor, Gabriela Gonzalez, says their Livingston Parish observatory observed the ripples in the fabric of spacetime on September 14th. She says a discovery like this can help scientists learn more about how the universe works…

Cut 11 (10) “listening to the universe”

State Police is partnering with Blue Cross for the safe disposal of prescription medication in central and northwest Louisiana. Trooper Michael Reichardt says in the front of the Troop F station in Monroe they’ve set out a box that looks like to a mail box for people to safely get rid of old or unwanted medication. But He says they won’t take any needles or intravenous drugs..

cut 14 (08)  “a doctor”

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards and Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy will each give their views on the budget crisis tonight.

CUT 2 (28)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The State Department of Health and Hospitals is investigating two possible Zika cases in Louisiana. Dr. Frank Welch, with the Louisiana Office of Public Health, says officials learned of these two cases after the patients complained to their doctors about feeling ill after visiting the Caribbean.

CUT 3 (06)  “completely recovered”

A California judge ruled Frank Selas is the former Monroe TV personality “Mr. Wonder” who allegedly sexually abused children in Louisiana in the 1970s. Lt. Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says everyone is anxious for Selas to be extradited back to Louisiana…

cut 16 (08)  “37 years”

Mr. Wonder was living in San Diego at the time he was arrested.

Louisiana State Police is working with Blue Cross to help safely dispose of prescription medication in central and northwest parts of the state by placing boxes in front of Troop E and F stations. Trooper Michael Reichardt says the normal methods of flushing old prescriptions down the toilet or throwing them in the trash are still effective. He says this is just another option of getting rid of the medications.

cut 13 (06)  “our office”

Governor John Bel Edwards is broadcasting a rare address at 6:30 this evening to inform the public on exactly what Louisiana is facing. The budget deficit is $870 million dollars for this fiscal year, and about $2 billion for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. Political pollster Ron Faucheux says, unlike Louisiana, other states typically struggle when gas prices are high…:

CUT 8 (09) “in the state”

State Treasurer John Kennedy will give the Republican response following Governor Edwards’ speech.

Louisiana State Police say they arrested 150 people while assisting the New Orleans Police Department during the two big weekends of the Mardi Gras season. Trooper Melissa Matey says the arrests led to 210 criminal charges and an additional 66 drug charges. She says narcotics agents were busy.

CUT 3 (10)  “illegally possessed”

Matey says they helped to recover 8 stolen vehicles during the two weekends of the carnival season, and LSP arrested multiple people on drug charges on Monday before Fat Tuesday.

Louisiana Researchers have played a role in detecting gravitational waves, which Albert Einstein predicted would occur in his general theory of relativity. LSU astronomy professor, Gabriela Gonzalez says two black holes colliding some one-point-three billion years ago created the gravitational wave that was detected in Livingston Parish and at another facility in Washington…

cut 10 (10)  away”

Gonzales says this type of discovery can help scientists learn more about how the universe works.

After an identity hearing in California today, a judged has ruled Frank Selas is former Monroe TV personality “Mr. Wonder,” who is accused of committing sex crimes in Louisiana in the 70s. Lt. Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says now the process of getting Selas back to Louisiana begins…

cut 15 (09)  “governor’s warrant”

Louisiana is in the midst of a financial crisis, but analysts say other states have been through this too. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (29)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

Fresh off his primary win in New Hampshire, Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump will hold a rally tonight at the Baton Rouge River Center. The doors open tonight at 5pm, and the rally starts at 7. This event is free and open to the public. Analysists say the Trump campaign is working to gain support in southern states. The Louisiana Presidential Primary election is March 5^th.

Louisiana State Police is partnering with Blue Cross to help with the safe disposal of prescription medication. Trooper Michael Reichardt says in the front of the Troop F station in Monroe they’ve set out a box for people to safely discard old or unwanted medication. He says the abuse of prescription medication in teens has become a growing problem…

cut 12 (09) “age group”

Reichardt says drop boxes are outside of Troop E and F stations in Monroe and Alexandria.

Louisiana Researchers have played a role in detecting gravitational waves, which Albert Einstein predicted would occur as part of his general theory of relativity. An observatory in Livingston Parish observed the ripples in the fabric of spacetime on September 14^th.